NJ.com is seeking a dynamic and versatile reporter to join our award-winning high school sports staff as a High School Sports reporter covering the NJ Big 6 beat.
In this first-of-its-kind role, you will become the go-to voice for news, features and in-depth reporting on the six major private schools in Bergen County — Bergen Catholic, Don Bosco Prep, St. Joseph (Mont.), St. Peter’s Prep, DePaul and Paramus Catholic. You’ll be the go-to reporter for the top recruits out of those schools, news on coaching moves and player movement. You’ll cover those schools, and their top teams, on a daily basis. When there’s news out of one of these schools, this reporter will be on top of it.
We're looking for someone with experience working in a fast-paced newsroom who is self-motivated but also open to collaboration. The ideal candidate will be well-versed in leveraging contacts and sources to break news but can also spot trends and news and react quickly and effectively.
The base salary range for this role is $65,000-$75,000 annually.
This role will require reliable transportation meet with sources and cover games and events across the state, and will include night and weekend hours.
What you'll be doing:- Serve as the go-to voice for the biggest news involving some of New Jersey’s most prolific schools
- Break news regularly on player, coach and school movement — transfers, hirings, firings and controversies.
- Build and maintain a dedicated social presence
- Develop sources and contacts at those schools to help break news regularly
- Produce both quick-hit news items and longer, detailed feature and enterprise stories.
- Work collaboratively with our award-winning high school sports staff.
- Engage with our audiences, as needed, on social media platforms.
- Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience
- A persistent self-starter with experience working in a fast-paced newsroom.
- Strong reporting and writing skills and a proven ability to break news.
- Deep familiarity with the New Jersey high school sports landscape.
- An ability to leverage relationships with sources to deliver high-quality, high-impact journalism.
- An ability to work remotely and independently under tight deadlines.
- A team player with a proven track record in uncovering news.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or a related field, or equivalent education and experience
- At least 3 years of relevant experience
- Experience working in a fast-paced newsroom
- Strong reporting and writing skills
- Proven ability to break news
- Deep familiarity with the New Jersey high school sports landscape
- Ability to leverage relationships with sources to deliver high-quality journalism
- Ability to work remotely and independently under tight deadlines
- Proven track record in uncovering news
- Reliable transportation for meeting sources and covering games and events across the state
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Advance Local, one of the largest media groups in the United States, operates the leading news and information companies in more than 20 cities, reaching more than 50 million people monthly with its quality journalism and community engagement.
